Rock-A-Hula Baby

Album: Blue Hawaii (1961)
Charted: 1
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This Hawaiian-flavored rock-and-roll tune was written by Ben Weisman, Fred Wise, and Dolores Fuller for Elvis Presley's musical romantic comedy Blue Hawaii. It was released as a double A-side with "Can't Help Falling In Love" in the UK, where it topped the pop chart for four weeks.
  • "Music for the film Blue Hawaii was a challenge," Weisman recalled. "Because of the locale, I thought the music should have a Hawaiian flavor, but with a rock beat. At the time, the twist was very hot, and I found that the twist and the hula were perfect together. Out of that combination 'Rock-A-Hula Baby' was born."

Comments: 1

  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaMost people don't know but the great drummer Hal Blaine of the Wrecking Crew, played drums on this LP.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Little Big Town

Little Big TownSongwriter Interviews

"When seeds that you sow grow by the wicked moon/Be sure your sins will find you out/Your past will hunt you down and turn to tell on you."

Millie Jackson

Millie JacksonSongwriter Interviews

Outrageously gifted and just plain outrageous, Millie is an R&B and Rap innovator.

Don Dokken

Don DokkenSongwriter Interviews

Dokken frontman Don Dokken explains what broke up the band at the height of their success in the late '80s, and talks about the botched surgery that paralyzed his right arm.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In Songs

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In SongsSong Writing

Songs where something goes horribly wrong (literally or metaphorically), and help is needed right away.

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.